it was Valentine's weekend, and especially because it was our first weekend to be together since the kids and i were out of town for a few weeks, i wanted nothing more than to just have a family play day.
the Mister and I had gone out for an early valentine's dinner the previously (because honestly, who wants to go out on Valentine's day and fight the crowds?) i'd been out of town for a couple of weeks, so we were in need of a date night. but this weekend i was so grateful that nahch wasn't working and we could have a family playday at the beach.
we headed to zuma, one of our fave spots. it's a bit further for us, but worth it for the easy access from the car, and how un-crowded it is even on a holiday weekend.
Usually the kids are off before we even finish setting down our spread of blankets/toys/food/sunscreen and I love just watching them go full tilt, unfurling their exuberance to the sea.
I spread out the blanket, careful not to get sand on it even though I know Navia and Keats will soon tromp their cute sandy feet all over it.
Nahchey and I play catch with the football. When he goes for a surf, I play with the kids. I take photos. I stare into the sea.
My beautiful boy is racing out of childhood and with everything in me I remind myself to enjoy the NOW-- to not miss this very moment by regretting how quickly yesteryear has come and gone. So i take a breath and release the longing for time to slow down and I breathe in this precious boy. He grabs his skateboard and wants to go to the sidewalk to ride. In a minute, I say. Let's build a castle first, or watch daddy surfing. This seems to distract him for the time being and he runs off toward satine.
classic navia. she sang and danced and sang and danced for me.
the sun started dropping. we donned some more clothes and walked over to surf down the sand dunes.
they must've climbed that hill a thousand times. then i changed the angle and told them to go big; i wanted to shoot some silhouettes. even with such simple outlines, isn't it amazing how easily recognizable we are by our gestures, or movements? so much of my family's personality is present even in these silhouettes.
finally, i couldn't stand it anymore. i wanted in on the fun! :) so i set the camera settings for nahchey and told him to shoot a couple of me. guys, i cannot tell you how much joy a simple leap will bring you! it must've been months since i had run and leapt with such abandon. i felt like a kid again, the 15 year old me in dance class.
it was a beautiful day spent with my four favorite people.
hope your weekend and your valentine's day was full of play and love and beauty.
xxo
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